Floral fragrances.....mmmmmm..

To be in the garden nowadays is bliss with the sweet smelling perfumes of various blooms wafting on gentle breezes....oooooh, the joy of breathing to take in such relaxing delights....The cultivated flowers are magnificent this year, and I can sit on the garden swing seat almost intoxicated by the combined fragrances of roses and philadelphus - or mock orange, and wild foxgloves....On a different tack, last weekend I attended a performance of "The Rake's Progress" given by students of Trinity College of Music and was rather concerned that so few of the cast have any idea of supporting the voice with air. Mercifully the Ann Truelove, played by Helen Bailey, and trained by Wendy Eathorne, was a noticable exception and gave a flawless interpretation of the role, histrionically and vocally.
Helen is studying on a Post Graduate Diploma Course at Trinity. Interestingly enough, she graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in English Literature and Cultural History from the Liverpool John Moores University - maybe it would benifit more singers if they approached singing via this route instead of slogging away at some music colleges....oooops! Many of the singers at this performance were disadvantaged by a production 'in the round', not a helpful medium for inexperienced students - yes, I know they need to learn how to cope with it, but not when they are so limited in projection and lacking any breathing technique - it's all a part of lifes' rich tapestry I suppose....to me it was a director proving how clever he is with the staging, rather than a good learning process for the participants - just my opinion ...Yesterday I attended a Master Class, for singers, by a very distinguished International artist at the Royal Academy of Music, and it was quite sad when one of the young singers stated that she had attended on of our top Music School vocal departments for three years - and had come along to try and find her real voice again - what a shocking indictment - no names, no pack drill ....as we say. (Simply means I'm not going to name names ...)!! For me it was frustrating to hear some of the talented singers going through their pieces, obviously not knowing what to do with their air - knowing exactly what would eliminate their problems - and not being able to help them - I really had to 'button my lip'. It was a relief when the singer who is perfecting their breathing with me, via Rosalind Plowright, the ikonic English mezzo- soprano, astonished the assembled company by his excellent air control - relief of tension for me, he really was impressive ! I can breathe again knowing that the routine works ....if you want to expand your lower ribcage, put a tape measure around it, exhale as much as possible allowing the ribcage to draw in, then, breathe in slowly, let the cage open and release the tape measure - you can then see how much expansion you have. That was how I did it in my youth - and the lungs, although damaged, are still working well, even individually...it's so easy. So, Dear readers, k..p b.......g...